Preview: Sunderland vs. Manchester United

Manchester United will be hoping to avoid a third successive league defeat when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.

David Moyes's side have dropped to 12th place in the table after last weekend's 2-1 reversal at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.

United come into the match at the Stadium of Light following Wednesday night's draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Managerless Sunderland will also be looking for a win to haul themselves off the bottom of the Premier League.

The Black Cats have lost five of their six league games so far this season, including last Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

Caretaker-manager Kevin Ball will be without injured defenders Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley, while Andrea Dossena is expected to be out due to a thigh injury.

For United, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney could return to the side after both missed the midweek match against Shakhtar. Tom Cleverley may retain his place in the starting XI after completing 90 minutes in Ukraine.

Recent form

Sunderland: LDLLLL

Man Utd: WDLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Sunderland: Westwood; Gardner, Colback, O'Shea, Cuellar; Larsson, Ki, Cattermole, Johnson, Giaccherini; Altidore

Man Utd: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa; Rooney; Van Persie

Sports Mole says: 0-2